Environmental facts about Northern Ireland

jobs could be created by refurbishing thousands of homes in Northern Ireland

80%

of Northern Ireland's transport budget is spent on roads

90%

of protected sites are badly damaged by agricultural pollution

Northern Ireland's challenges

Northern Ireland's air, water and soils are in a bad way.

We have the least protected environment in the UK and Ireland. It's a real worry for the 1.8m people living here and the many important wildlife sites in the country.

Northern Ireland has no independent Environmental Protection Agency. No National Parks. No law to cut climate-changing emissions. The planning system leans heavily towards new development. And communities have too little say.

Look behind the stereotypical green image of our country and you’ll find something much less wholesome. This is Northern Ireland’s dirty secret – rivers and lakes choking, fragile habitats polluted, and plummeting air quality.

Nature and people first

We're working with people across the counties to protect the things we all care about: flourishing nature, clean air, real food, and healthy communities. Together we can get Northern Ireland:

an environmental protection agency that has the freedom to do its job properly

a Climate Change Act that cuts pollution and creates clean jobs

a planning system fit for people and nature

strong environmental laws.

Lough Neagh: space to breathe

Lough Neagh is one of Northern Ireland’s most precious wildlife sites. It's supposed to be protected under international, European, and Northern Ireland law. Yet it's in a dire state – water quality is poor, and birds and fish are disappearing.

It's difficult to pinpoint all the causes. But one suspect stands out: unlawful sand dredging. Some companies are sucking out sand from the lough without planning permission or environmental assessment.

We won against the dredging in the courts. But the government allows it to go on. We won't stop fighting. If we can’t save such a designated protected site, then nowhere is safe.

Extractive industries in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has a problem with unlawful and poorly regulated mines and quarries – from basalt in the Antrim plateau, to limestone from Fermanagh, and sand from Lough Neagh. Now international corporations have come looking for gold, lead, and oil and gas, and our most precious places are at risk.

We’re working with frontline communities to protect their countryside from exploitation and pollution.

In April 2018 we held a series of events called 'Our Earth, our future: To mine or mind?' This included an international conference with speakers from Honduras, Romania, Galicia (Spain), Brussels, Tyrone and Mayo. See images from the conference on Facebook.

Northern Ireland and climate change

Climate change is happening now and it's destroying lives. The weather is getting wilder – crises like flooding in Northern Ireland will get worse.

Burning dirty fuels like coal, oil and gas is leading to more global warming. We need to shift quickly to clean energy from the wind, waves and sun. Northern Ireland needs a climate change law to make sure this happens.

Where are the environmental safeguards?

Northern Ireland is bad at protecting its environment. Companies are more or less free to damage our air, water and soil. We're sacrificing our health and livelihoods, including tourism.

Brexit only raises the stakes. Without strong environmental laws, the border with the Republic of Ireland could become a dumping ground for polluting industries after we leave the EU.

We need an independent Environmental Protection Agency – and an environmental court with the freedom and expertise to challenge bad decisions.

Planning for People and Place

Planning can be confusing and intimidating. If only there were somewhere you could go to learn how the planning system works. There is. Planning for People and Place.

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland runs workshops and training on all aspects of the planning system. We cut through the jargon and give you the tools you need to defend the places you love from unwanted development. Experts in law and planning are on hand to answer your questions and offer advice.